Table-operating mechanism for rolling-mills.



No. 876,894. PATBNTED JAN-'14, 1908.

, F. c. BIGGERT, JR.

TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING-MILLS.

APPLICATION FILE!) JUNE 15, 1907- THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, 0. c4

PATENTED JAN.14, 1908.

F. O.BIGGERT, JRQ TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING MILLS.

APPLIO A-TION BILED JUNE 15, 1907.

6 SHEETS-:SHEET 2.

WITNESSES NVENTOR 310% QAMWQ.

n12 NORRIS PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, o 5.

PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908.

F. 0. BIGGERT, JR. TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING MILLS APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1907.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N RN mvzu'ron WITNESSES r r. P $3.. $3M,

THE NORRIS PETERS 60., vMsHnysroN, 0.1:.

Nq. 876,894. PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908.

F. c. BIGGEVRT, JR. TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,1907.

6 SHEBTS-SHEHT 4.

WITNESSES -INVENTOR w-gwfm fikwh AMI/away 7 S ms- THE NORRIS PETERS 50., wnsnmammmz'c.

PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908.

V F. G. 'BIGGERT', JR.

TABLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING MILLS.

APPLICATION FILEDJ'UNH 15, 1907.

6 SHEETS-81113515.

m: "owns s-zrsezs 60., wxsunvaronr, 11.0.

PATENTED JAN. 14, 1908;

F. C. BIGGERT, J11. T ABLB OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING- MILLS.

10 TI I 1 APPIL A 0N ILED JUNEIE, 907 G S EET 6.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED ENGINEERING & FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TABLE-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ROLLING-MILLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1908.

Application filed June 15. 1907- Se NO- 379I163| To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FLORENCE, C. B1e- GERT, Jr. of Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Table-Operating Mechanism for Rolling- Mills, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a rolling mill having my invention applied thereto, the roll housings being shown in section; Fig. 1 is a plan view on a larger scale of the right hand end portion of the mill omitted from Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of that portion of the mill shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 2 is a side elevation on a larger scale of that portion of the mill which is omitted from Fig. 2; Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of the cushion chamber and adjacent parts; Fig. 4 is a side view partly in section showing the valve mechanism which controls the supply of water in the cushion chamber; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line VV of Fig. 4; Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of portions of the valve mechanism shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of one of the cylinders and. its cross-head and connections.

My invention relates to three-high rolling mills having vertically-movable tables, and is designed to provide means of eflicient character for cushioning and counterbalancing the movable tables, thereby relieving strain on the parts and relieving the table operating motor of a portion of its work, especially at starting; and my invention consists in the provision of a cushioning and counterbalancing means of a novel character, whereby these objects are accomplished.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 designates the housings and 3 the rolls of a three-high mill.

4 and 5 designate the vertically-movable feed tables. In the particular mill shown, these tables are raised and lowered by means of an electric motor 6 which drives a shaft 7 carrying a pinion 8. This pinion meshes with a spur gear wheel 9 having a crank 10 which is connected bya pitman or connecting rod 11 with the crank arm 12 of a transverse rocker shaft 13. This shaft 13 has an arm 14 to which is connected one end of a beam 15 which extends substantially the full length of both tables 4 and 5, and is connected to arms 16 of the parallel transverse rocker shafts 17, 18 and 19. These shafts have secured thereto suitable lifting arms 20 which are suitably engaged with or connected to the frames of the tables 4 and 5, as indicated at 21. When the motor is operated, to effect a one-half revolution of the crank 10 the transverse rocker shafts are moved by the connecting beam 15 to raise the tables. The further operation of the motor completes the revolution of such crank and lowers the tables.

22 indicates manipulator mechanism of any desired character, and with which the present invention is not concerned.

23 and 24 designate two hydraulic cylinders, one for each of the tables. The piston rod 25 of each of these cylinders is connected to a horizontally-slidable cross head 26, which is connected by a pair of links 27 with a depending arm 28 of one of the transverse shafts, the piston of the cylinder 23 being tially filled with liquid, preferably water,

which also fills the pipes 23 and the cylinders 23 and 24 behind the pistons. In the upper portion of said tank or chamber above the water level, is a sace or chamber 30 which is designed to be led with air or some other compressible fluid.

The operation of the invention as thus far described is as follows: When the tables are raised'by means of the motor 6, the movement of the rocker arms 28 will actuate the links 27 to move the pistons forwardly in the cylinders 23 and 24, thereby withdrawing a portion of the water from the tank 29 and increasing the space 30 to such an extent that when the table reaches its highest point, the pressure of the air or other medium contained in such space will not be sufficient to balance the weight of the table. When the table is again lowered, the movement of the pistons .in the cylinders 23 and 24 forces water back into the chamber 29, thereby compressing the elastic medium in the space 30. In prac tice, this compression is carried to such an pipe 46.

30, I provide an 'air trap 31, (see Fig. 2).

This consists of a small tank or other vessel which is connected to the tank 29 below the water level in the latter. The upper end of the tank or vessel 31 is connected with a pipe 32 which enters the tank 29 below the water level and which is also arranged to be connected with a suitable'source of air under pressure. This pipe is provided with valves 33 and 34. The tank 31 also has a drain cock 35 at its lower end. By closing the valve 34 and opening the cock 35, the water in the tank 31 may be drained out. The cock 35 is then closed and the valve 33 opened, and air under pressure admitted to the tank 31. The valve 33 is then closed and the valve 34 is opened. The air trapped in the tank 31 will then find. its way up through the water or other liquid in the tank 29. In this manner, the proper volume of air can be maintained in said tank 29. This trap is necessary, owing to the high pressure in the space 30 which exceeds the ordinary air pressure available. I also provide means for maintaining the volume of water or other liquid in the tank 29. Such means are shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. For this purpose, I provide a tank or vessel 36 which has a water connection 37 with the tank 29 below: the

low water level therein, so that the same' level will be maintained in both tanks. The air spaces of the two tanks are connected by a pipe 37.

39 designates a valve, for controlling the air pipe 37, actuated by a rod 39.

40 is a valve for controlling the water connection between the two tanks, operated by a rod 41. q

42 designates a valve casing having therein an endwise movable rod or shaft 43 in the inner end portion of which. is a port 44 which communicates with a supply port 45 fed by a The port 44 in the shaft 43 leads out through the inner end of the shaft, and is normally closed by the end of a valve rod 47.

This valve rod has a threaded bearing in a nut 48 and also a guide bearing at 49. Attached to said valve rodis an arm 50 to which is connected a float arm 51, the float of which is in the tank 36, and is arranged to rise and fall with the water therein. nut 48 has one or more ports 52 which connect the chamber 53 in the valve casing 42 The with a chamber or space 54 into which the port 44 opens. The shaft 43 extends outwardly through a stufling box 55 and has a threaded portion 56 upon which is mounted a pinion 57 having an internal thread, fitting the thread 56. The teeth of the pinion 57 are engaged by the teeth of a vertically-reciprocating rack bar 58 which is connected at its lower end with an arm 59 of an extension 60 of the transverse rock shaft 17 before described. The outer end portion of the shaft 43 has a square bearing 61 in a bushing 62 which is secured in the head block 63 of a yoke 64 connected to the valve casing 42. The bushing 62 is normally held against rotation by a set screw 62. 65 is a coil spring on the shaft 43 between the head block 63 and a nut 66.

The parts are so arranged that when a sufiicient volume of water is present in the tanks 36 and 29, the rising and falling move-' ment of the float arm 51 will effect an endwise movement of the valve screw 47 precisely equal to the endwise movement of the shaft 43, due to the action of the rack 58 on the pinion 57. 47 will therefore close the port 44. If, however, the volume of water in the tanks 29 and 36 falls below the desired limit, the movement of the valve screw 47 occasioned by the rising of the float arm will be less than the endwise movement of the shaft 43 effected by the rack bar 58, and the inner end of the valve screw 47 will therefore uncover the end of the port 44. This'will permit water to enter through the port 45 into the port 44 to the chamber 54, and thence through the port or ports 52 into the chamber 53 which communicates with the water space of the tank 36. In this manner, a constant volume of water is maintained in the tank 29, valve 40 being of course normally open.

The endwise movement of the shaft 43 under the action of the pinion 57 is effected by reason of the fact that said shaft is prevented from turning by its engagement with the bushing 62. The spring 65 therefore moves the shaft endwise as fast as the travel of the thread 56 in the thread of the pinion 57 will permit. The spring 65 also prevents any lost motion in these threads. Any adjustment of the shaft 43 which may be made necessary by reason of wear or other causes can be effected by loosening the set screw 62, so as to permit the bushing 62 to turn in the head block 63 with said shaft. The latter, by the application of a suitable wrench to its outer end or to the head of the bushing 62, can then be screwed endwise through the pinion.

The advantages of my invention result from the fact that by the use of a column of water or other non-compressible fluid as a piston for compressing the elastic medium in the cushion chamber, a very high pressure The end of the valve screw 7 can be obtained in said chamber, so that the heavy tables may be overbalanced thereby. The work of the table actuating motor is thereby greatly reduced, and the movement of the table is cushioned and steadied under its load without strain on the parts.

While I have shown my invention as applied to tables which are bodily verticallymovable, it is obvious that it is equally applicable to tables which are pivoted at their outer ends. to vertically-movable tables of other kinds and for other purposes.

Instead of using a fluid counterbalance, I may obviously employ other well known forms of counterbalances, as I believe it to be broadly new to provide a movable table with a counterbalance attachment which changes its direction of action upon the table at an intermediate point in the movement of the table.

While I have shown an electric motor for actuating the tables, my invention is independent of the table-actuating mechanism proper, which may be of any suitable character, and operated by any suitable motor.

The skilled mechanic may obviously make many changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from my invention, since What I claim is 1. A vertically movable table, a motor and connections for raising and lowering the table, a counterbalance and cushioning device for the table, and connections between the table and the counterbalance for operating said device to cause it to act upon the table in two different directions during the movement of the table, substantially as described.

2. A vertically-movable table, a motor and connections for raising and lowering the same, and a counterbalancing mechanism ar ranged to under-balance the table in its high position and over-balance it in its low position; substantially as described.

3. A vertically movable table, a motive device for raising and lowering the table, counterbalancing mechanism, and connections between the mechanism and the table for causing the counterbalancing mechanism to reverse its action upon the table at an intermediate point in the movement of the latter, substantially as described.

4. A vertically-movable table, mechanism for raising and lowering the same, a cushion chamber arranged to contain an elastic fluid medium under pressure, and connections between the table and the cushion chamber whereby the rise and fall of the table effects the expansion and compression of said me dium to counterbalance and cushion the table in opposite directions during different portions of its movement; substantially as described.

5. A vertically-movable table, mechanism The invention is also applicable for raising and lowering the table, a cylinder having a piston connected to the table movement, a cushion chamber, and a conduit connecting the cylinder and cushion chamber and adapted to contain a liquid; substantially as described.

6. A vertically movable table, motive means for raising and lowering the same, a fluid counterbalance, and connections operated by the movement of the table to reverse the direction of the action of the counterbalance during the movement of the table.

7. A vertically-movable table, mechanism for operating the same, a cylinder having a piston connected to the table operating mechanism, a cushion chamber, an elastic medium in said chamber, a conduit connecting the cylinder and chamber and a non-compressible fluid extending from the piston of said cylinder into said chamberz' substantially as described.

8. A vertically-movable table, operating mechanism therefor, a cylinder, a cross-head connected to the piston of the cylinder and to the table operating mechanism, and a cushion chamber containing an elastic medium and connected to said cylinder by a liquidcontaining conduit or passage; substantially as described.

9. A vertically movable table, actuating mechanism therefor, a cushion chamber member, containing an elastic medium, and means for maintaining the elastic medium under a desired stress, which said means has connections to the table and constructed and arranged to be controlled by the rise and fall of the table, substantially as described.

10. A vertically-movable table, operating mechanism therefor, a cushion chamber, a cylinder having its piston connected with the table movement, a conduit connecting the cylinder and chamber, and means controlled by the movement of the tablefor maintaining a substantially constant volume of liquid in said cylinder, conduit and chamber; sub stantially as described.

11. The combination with a verticallymovable table of a cushion chamber containing an elastic medium confined therein, a confined'body of liquid extending into said chamber and actuated by the movements of the table, and forming a piston to compress and expand the said medium, and a liquid supply device controlled by the movement of the table for maintaining the volume of the liquid substantially constant; substantially as described. 7

12. A vertically-movable table, a cylinder and piston, connections whereby the piston of said cylinder is actuated by the movements of the table, a cushion chamber, a liquid containing conduit connecting the cylinder and chamber, and means operated by difierential movement of the table and liquid for maintaining a substantially consaid chamber for effecting the expansion and contraction of said medium and actuated by the movement of the table, a feed vessel connected to the liquid space of the cushion chamber, said feed vessel having a supply ort, and valve mechanism for said port controlled by the combined movements of the table and the liquid; substantially as described. a

14. In table operating mechanism, a vertically-movable table, a cushion chamber containing an elastic medium, a body of liquid actuated by the movements of the table to effect alternate expansion and compression of said medium, a feed vessel connected with the liquid space of the cushion chamber, means for maintaining the same liquid level in the cushion chamber and vessel, a float in said vessel, and compound valve mechanism controlling the inlet of said vessel, one member of the valve being connected to the float and a second member to the table; substantially as described.

1.5. In table operating mechanism, a cushion chamber containing an elastic medium and also having therein a movable body of liquid, a conduit communicating said chamber and also containing li uid means whereby the liquid, is actuated y the movement of the table, and means for maintaining a substantially constant volume of the liquid controlled by the combined movements of the table and the liquid; substantially as described.

16. In table actuating mechanism, a vertically movable table, a motive device for raising and lowering the same, a cushion chamber containing an elastic medium, and also a body of liquid, a conduit communicating with the said body of liquid and also containing liquid, means controlled by the movement of the table to actuate the liquid to cause an alternate expansion and distension of the elastic medium, and means for maintaining such medium under a desired stress, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR.

Witnesses:

H. M. OoRwIN, GEO. I-I. PARMELEE. 

